Patents by Inventor Christopher Genau

Christopher Genau has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160144163
    Abstract: A wire and electrode combination suitable for use with implanted medical devices, and a method for coupling the wire and electrode to achieve a robust electrical connection suitable for use with such medical devices are disclosed. The apparatus employs a wire that is optimized for strength, an electrode optimized for biocompatibility, and a termination sleeve with a closed distal end for coupling the wire to the electrode, while eliminating the potential for galvanic corrosion, enhancing weld quality, and facilitating manufacture of the apparatus. The method involves compressing the sleeve to engage the wire at two locations, where contact between the sleeve and wire at the first location seals the interior of the sleeve, and contact between the sleeve and wire at the second location electrically couples the wire to the sleeve. The sleeve, which is easier to manipulate than the wire, is then spot welded to the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Jared Floyd, Christopher Genau, Kent W. Leyde
  • Patent number: 9289595
    Abstract: A wire and electrode combination suitable for use with implanted medical devices, and a method for coupling the wire and electrode to achieve a robust electrical connection suitable for use with such medical devices are disclosed. The apparatus employs a wire that is optimized for strength, an electrode optimized for biocompatibility, and a termination sleeve with a closed distal end for coupling the wire to the electrode, while eliminating the potential for galvanic corrosion, enhancing weld quality, and facilitating manufacture of the apparatus. The method involves compressing the sleeve to engage the wire at two locations, where contact between the sleeve and wire at the first location seals the interior of the sleeve, and contact between the sleeve and wire at the second location electrically couples the wire to the sleeve. The sleeve, which is easier to manipulate than the wire, is then spot welded to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jared Floyd, Christopher Genau, Kent W. Leyde
  • Patent number: 9259591
    Abstract: An implantable medical device having a concave ceramic housing component; a concave metal housing component attached to the ceramic housing component to form a hermetically sealed enclosure; and an electronic trans-housing magnetic flux component disposed within the enclosure. Another aspect of the invention provides an implantable medical device having a ceramic housing component; a metal housing component; a circumferential sealing member attached to a periphery of the ceramic housing component and to a periphery of the metal housing component to form a hermetically sealed enclosure; and an electronic trans-housing magnetic flux component disposed within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: David Brown, Christopher Genau, Kent W. Leyde, Shan Gaw, Jeffrey Stewart
  • Publication number: 20140074212
    Abstract: A wire and electrode combination suitable for use with implanted medical devices, and a method for coupling the wire and electrode to achieve a robust electrical connection suitable for use with such medical devices are disclosed. The apparatus employs a wire that is optimized for strength, an electrode optimized for biocompatibility, and a termination sleeve with a closed distal end for coupling the wire to the electrode, while eliminating the potential for galvanic corrosion, enhancing weld quality, and facilitating manufacture of the apparatus. The method involves compressing the sleeve to engage the wire at two locations, where contact between the sleeve and wire at the first location seals the interior of the sleeve, and contact between the sleeve and wire at the second location electrically couples the wire to the sleeve. The sleeve, which is easier to manipulate than the wire, is then spot welded to the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jared Floyd, Christopher Genau, Kent W. Leyde
  • Patent number: 8588933
    Abstract: A wire and electrode combination suitable for use with implanted medical devices, and a method for coupling the wire and electrode to achieve a robust electrical connection suitable for use with such medical devices are disclosed. The apparatus employs a wire that is optimized for strength, an electrode optimized for biocompatibility, and a termination sleeve with a closed distal end for coupling the wire to the electrode, while eliminating the potential for galvanic corrosion, enhancing weld quality, and facilitating manufacture of the apparatus. The method involves compressing the sleeve to engage the wire at two locations, where contact between the sleeve and wire at the first location seals the interior of the sleeve, and contact between the sleeve and wire at the second location electrically couples the wire to the sleeve. The sleeve, which is easier to manipulate than the wire, is then spot welded to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Floyd, Christopher Genau, Kent W. Leyde
  • Publication number: 20100179627
    Abstract: A wire and electrode combination suitable for use with implanted medical devices, and a method for coupling the wire and electrode to achieve a robust electrical connection suitable for use with such medical devices are disclosed. The apparatus employs a wire that is optimized for strength, an electrode optimized for biocompatibility, and a termination sleeve with a closed distal end for coupling the wire to the electrode, while eliminating the potential for galvanic corrosion, enhancing weld quality, and facilitating manufacture of the apparatus. The method involves compressing the sleeve to engage the wire at two locations, where contact between the sleeve and wire at the first location seals the interior of the sleeve, and contact between the sleeve and wire at the second location electrically couples the wire to the sleeve. The sleeve, which is easier to manipulate than the wire, is then spot welded to the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Jared Floyd, Christopher Genau, Kent W. Leyde
  • Publication number: 20090171420
    Abstract: An implantable medical device having a concave ceramic housing component; a concave metal housing component attached to the ceramic housing component to form a hermetically sealed enclosure; and an electronic trans-housing magnetic flux component disposed within the enclosure. Another aspect of the invention provides an implantable medical device having a ceramic housing component; a metal housing component; a circumferential sealing member attached to a periphery of the ceramic housing component and to a periphery of the metal housing component to form a hermetically sealed enclosure; and an electronic trans-housing magnetic flux component disposed within the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: David Brown, Christopher Genau, Kent W. Leyde, Shan Gaw, Jeffrey Stewart
  • Publication number: 20070106214
    Abstract: Systems and methods for securing cardiovascular tissue, including via asymmetric inflatable members, are disclosed. A device in accordance with one embodiment includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, with a working portion positioned toward the distal end and being elongated along a terminal axis. An energy transmitter and an inflatable member are positioned at the working portion, with the inflatable member being inflatable under fluid pressure from a generally collapsed configuration to an inflated configuration. In the inflated configuration, the inflatable member can be asymmetric relative to the terminal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: CoAptus Medical Corporation
    Inventors: William Gray, Christopher Genau
  • Publication number: 20070100324
    Abstract: Systems and methods for applying vacuum to a patient, including a disposable liquid collection unit, are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a valve unit having at least one actuator that is changeable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The valve unit can have a first receiving portion with a first registration feature. The system can further include a disposable collection unit removably carried by the valve unit and including a liquid collection vessel and an interface unit carried by the liquid collection vessel. The interface unit can have a second receiving portion with a second registration feature positioned to be removably engaged with the first registration feature. The interface unit can carry a conduit that is coupleable to a patient device and that is positioned to be acted upon by the actuator, with the conduit generally closed when the actuator has the first configuration, and generally open when the actuator has the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: CoAptus Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Tempel, Christopher Genau, Ryan Kaveckis, Blair Erbstoeszer
  • Publication number: 20070093804
    Abstract: Control systems for patient devices, including devices for securing cardiovascular tissue, and associated methods, are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a controller coupleable to an energy transmitter configured to be introduced into a patient's body. The controller can have a power delivery component that is configured to automatically deliver and automatically terminate a full dose of energy to the energy transmitter at only a single predetermined energy level that is not user changeable. The controller can further include an activation device coupled to the power delivery component to initiate delivery of the energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: CoAptus Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Kaveckis, Mark Tempel, Christopher Genau
  • Publication number: 20070093805
    Abstract: Systems and methods for securing cardiovascular tissue, including via asymmetric electrodes, are disclosed. A device in accordance with one embodiment includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, with a working portion positioned toward the distal end and being elongated along a terminal axis. The device can further include an energy transmitter (e.g., an electrode) at the working portion of the catheter, with the energy transmitter tapered inwardly toward the terminal axis in a distal direction. The energy transmitter can be asymmetric relative to the terminal axis. In further particular embodiments, other components of the catheter (e.g., an inflatable member, guidewire conduit, and/or catheter bend angle) can also be asymmetric relative to the terminal axis, and in still further particular embodiments, some or all of the foregoing elements can have particular alignments relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: CoAptus Medical Corporation
    Inventors: David Auth, Christopher Genau, Joseph Eichinger, Mark Tempel, Ryan Kaveckis, William Gray, Blair Erbstoeszer
  • Patent number: D474068
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Pacific Market, Inc.
    Inventors: Tami Fujii, Christopher Genau, Carmen Chacon